Jeff McLane

For some, the fact that Michael Vick is still a Philadelphia Eagle is more surprising than Donovan McNabb now playing for the Washington Redskins.

Even Vick, now the Eagles backup quarterback to Kevin Kolb, said he was initially surprised.

“I was surprised in the beginning,” Vick said about not being traded. “But after the smoke cleared, I just thought about it and talked it over with my family and I just said, ‘I’m blessed to have a job in the NFL.’”

Still, Vick had been very adament this off-season about wanting to return to starting. He went on several radio shows in a sort-of campaign to get a job with a different team. But it didn't work. Even though the Eagles said they were entertaining offers for all three of their quarterbacks, they didn't receive a serious sniff from any other teams.

"I'm just going to continue to get better, continue to work hard," Vick said Friday after the first day of minicamp. "That's my role here. I just want to help this team win a championship."

Vick will earn $5.25 million in the last year of a two-year contract he signed with the Eagles last August after he was released from an 18-month prison term. Is he hoping that perhaps next year he can get another opportunity to start?

"Whatever happens happens," Vick said. "I can't predict the future. All I can do is control what I can control and hopefully put myself in a position where maybe I can start in this league."

Vick's role with the Eagles is more important that your customary backup. He'll still likely be a part of the Eagles' Wildcat package.

"I think we'll still have part of the Wildcat package," Vick said. "I think we'll still be able to mix in some things at times."

A slimmer Vick said that he was able to drop five or so pounds in the off-season, and now weighs around 207 pounds -- his normal playing weight. He said he's also down to 4 percent body fat.

"During the season I fluctuated in between 211 and 213," Vick said. "But just to be at a consistent 205, 207, like I used to be, and having a chance to add on more muscle was an important goal for me this off-season."

He thinks he's got the old motor back.

"I was really more quick than I was fast," Vick said. "I think some people failed to realize that. My ability was to get away with that initial burst. I feel like I got that back."

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